Governor Rick Scott Leads Business Delegation to Japan

Governor Scott will lead a delegation of more than 20 business leaders

On Saturday, November 2,Governor Rick Scott will lead an economic development mission to Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya Japan. Below, please see key facts about this week’s economic development mission, as well as a schedule of events.

KEY FACTS

A delegation of more than 20 business leaders to Japan will focus on increasing business development opportunities for companies from Japan to invest, grow and create jobs in Florida.

Over the duration of the trip, Governor Scott will meet with more than a dozen leading Japanese companies, and speak to more than 350 business leaders at seminars and forums promoting Florida as a super-state for business.

Total expected export sales reported by Florida companies that attended Governor Scott led international missions is more than $400 million.

The mission’s goal is to recruit more foreign direct investment (FDI) for Florida and to encourage Japanese-owned businesses in the state to expand. According to the latest available data, more than 2,500 FDI establishments in Florida account for 236,000 jobs.

In 2012, Japanese companies exported $6.7 billion dollars to Florida, an increase of 19% over the previous year.

Japan is the number one investor in Florida in terms of property, plant and equipment.

There are more than 200 Japanese-owned companies in the state which account for over 20,000 Florida jobs.

More than 270,000 Japanese tourists visit Florida annually.

Japan is Florida’s 2nd largest import market and Japan is Florida’s 8th largest merchandise trading partner.

In 2012, Governor Scott’s active and innovative approach to promoting international business won him an award as the top U.S. governor for foreign direct investment strategy from London-based fDi Magazine.